Topics Related to SHP Press Release

The State Health Plan (Plan) is announcing its partnership with OrthoCarolina as it continues to expand its no-cost surgery options through its partnership with Lantern. Lantern is a specialty care platform that facilitates surgery access to Plan members.   

“Our members are benefitting from high-quality providers who are willing to try an innovative approach to patient care,” said Treasurer Brad Briner. “OrthoCarolina has a best-in-class reputation, and we can now steer members there for certain procedures for no cost out of their pocket.”  

The State Health Plan (Plan) Board of Trustees approved its 2026-2032 Strategic Plan today, advancing initiatives designed to improve member health outcomes while strengthening the Plan's long-term financial sustainability.   The unanimous approval establishes a roadmap focused on three priorities: protecting affordable premiums and stable benefits, helping members achieve better health and ensuring members have access to care.  

In recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week, the State Health Plan (Plan) is launching a new initiative designed to strengthen connections with educators and improve awareness of health benefits and resources. 

Medical doctor and Hoover Institution visiting fellow Dr.

The State Health Plan (Plan) is announcing that it has canceled the current Request for Proposal (RFP) for Third Party Administrator (TPA) services. This action was taken as none of the bids received met the minimum requirements of the RFP. The Plan issued the RFP March 20, 2026.

The Plan will be issuing a new RFP in the coming weeks and continues to be in the silent period as staff work to issue another RFP. The goal remains to have the Plan’s Board of Trustees approve the award of the contract later this summer.

One year after the State Health Plan (Plan) urgently needed to correct massive deficits, it is now squarely focused on cost-control strategies. In a meeting today, the Board of Trustees was briefed on the financial outlook of the Plan and took a vote on 2027 benefit design changes. The vote aims to strengthen the Preferred Provider Program by utilizing a three-tier network structure meant to encourage members to choose high-value providers.

The North Carolina Department of State Treasurer announced a partnership between EmergeOrtho and the State Health Plan today. This further expands access to high-quality, no-cost surgical care for members across North Carolina through the Plan’s Lantern surgical benefit. 

Today the Department of State Treasurer and Novant Health announced the first major expansion to the State Health Plan’s (Plan) Lantern surgical benefit.  This will significantly broaden access to no-cost, high-quality surgical care for hundreds of thousands Plan members across the state. The announcement was made during a press conference at Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center.

The State Health Plan (Plan) held its inaugural meeting of the newly established Medical Policy Advisory Committee on Feb. 25. The committee’s work is intended to strengthen the Plan’s ability to evaluate emerging treatments, ensure evidence-based decision-making and promote high-quality, patient-centered care for members.

Votes taken by the State Health Plan (Plan) Board of Trustees yesterday aim to improve health outcomes for members while also considering cost transparency and long-term affordability. The trustees approved contracts with three clinically integrated networks (CINs): Aledade, Community Care Physician Network and UNC Health Alliance. These agreements represent the first phase of the Plan’s new preferred provider strategy.